System and method for persistence-vector-based rate assignment

ABSTRACT

In a system including a resource which is shared among a number of users, it is difficult to distribute the available capacity of the resources fairly among the users and still maximize resource utilization. Additionally, it is desirable to allow at least some of the control over usage rates to remain with the users, while at the same time avoiding situations where the resource is overloaded. A system and method are disclosed wherein usage rates are selected from among a set of available rates according to a set of persistence vectors.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §120

The present Application for Patent is a Continuation and claims priority to patent application Ser. No. 10/370,995, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERSISTENCE-VECTOR-BASED RATE ASSIGNMENT,” filed Feb. 20, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,965,613, which is a Continuation and claims priority to Ser. No. 09/410,199, filed Sep. 30, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,535,523, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERSISTENCE-VECTOR-BASED RATE ASSIGNMENT,” issued Mar. 18, 2003, and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This invention relates to allocation of a limited resource among multiple users. More specifically, this invention relates to the assignment of usage rates based on a set of persistence vectors.

2. Background

A shared resource is one which may be used by multiple users. Shared resources which have limited availabilities or capacities include such diverse examples as electric power stations and other energy plants, water sources such as reservoirs and flowing bodies, supply systems for the distribution of goods and/or material, and data communications networks and pathways. Problems associated with allocating the use of a shared resource among multiple users may therefore arise in many different contexts. Regardless of the particular context, however, such resources may be found in many systems in which at least the following conditions hold:

-   -   the capacity or availability of the shared resource may be         expressed in terms of a finite rate R of units per measure of         time (e.g., kilowatts/hour, gallons/minute, cartons/week, or         bits/second);     -   at any particular time, the resource is being used by n         different users, where n is a non-negative integer; and     -   at any particular time, the usage of the i-th user (where 1≦i≦n)         may be characterized by a finite usage rate u_(i) of units per         measure of time.

A basic model for such a system is shown in FIG. 1, where resource 100 is used by users 120A-D at rates 110A-D, respectively. Depending on the particular implementation, the rate R which characterizes the shared resource may indicate an actual or estimated limit of the capacity of the resource (e.g., in the case of a communications pathway) or, in the alternative, the rate R may be a threshold indicating a maximum safe or permissible load of the resource (e.g., in the case of a power generation facility or device). Likewise, the usage rates u_(i) may indicate actual use, expected use, or requests or demands for use.

An overload condition arises when the sum of the n usage rates u_(i) at any one time exceeds the value R. With respect to a power plant, for example, an overload condition may arise when the total current draw exceeds the rated capacity. With respect to a data communications pathway, an overload condition may arise when the total data transfer rate exceeds the pathway's actual capacity, thereby corrupting the data in transmission. In certain situations such as water supply or warehousing of materials, an overload condition may also indicate that although user demands are currently being met, reserve or buffer capacity is being depleted.

Depending on the nature of the resource, the consequences of an overload condition will vary, possibly including the need for an offline period for resource recovery (e.g., cooling of a power generation system or replenishment of a reservoir) or the need to expend present capacity in order to repeat a use that was attempted in the past but failed because of the overload (e.g., retransmission of a data packet corrupted by a collision). The resource may even become temporarily or permanently unable to regain its former capacity. In cases where the sum of the n usage rates u_(i) may exceed the value R, it is desirable to control the usage rates in some fashion so as to avoid overload conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a system or method according to an embodiment of the invention, a resource is shared among a set of users. Each user has a usage rate selected from a set of available rates, and each user's use of the resource is determined at least in part by the user's usage rate. Each user also has a set of persistence vectors, each vector element corresponding to a rate among the set of available rates. Selection of a user's usage rate from the set of available rates is based at least in part on one among the set of persistence vectors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system including a resource shared among several users.

FIG. 1A is an illustration of a system according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of a method according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A shows a flowchart of an alternative embodiment of a method according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B shows a flowchart of another alternative embodiment of a method according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a method according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a system including a resource shared among several users and a control unit coupled to the resource and the users.

FIG. 4A is an illustration of a system according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4B illustrates a wireless network for data communications as one implementation of the system of FIG. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One way to avoid overload conditions while maximizing resource use is to divide the estimated capacity of the resource into a number of fixed rate allocations, assigning these allocations as the n usage rates u_(i). In a system where users have changing usage requirements, however, this approach may lead to suboptimal utilization of the shared resource.

For example, assume in FIG. 1 that resource 100 is a water supply having a capacity of 1200 gallons/minute, and that a permitted usage rate from among a predetermined set of available rates is assigned to each user (where the set of available rates is represented as an m-element vector Y={Y₀, Y₁, . . . , Y_(m−1)}). In this example, users 120A-D may each use the resource at a rate of Y₀=300, Y₁=600, Y₂=900, or Y₃=1200 gallons/minute (i.e. m=4). If a fair distribution is implemented wherein all of the users are assigned the same fixed rate, then each of the four users 120A-D may be permitted to use the resource at rate Y₀ (300 gallons/minute). Such an assignment effectively avoids overloading the resource. However, if fewer than all of the users 120A-D are likely to be using resource 100 at any given time, this approach is also wasteful of resource capacity.

Now consider the case where resource 100 has the same capacity of 1200 gallons/minute and the set of available rates is as above, but where the probability that each user will be using resource 100 at any given time is only ¼ (we assume that each user's use is uncorrelated with that of each of the other users). In this situation, a more optimal utilization of resource 100 might be obtained by permitting each user to use the resource at rate Y₃ (1200 gallons/minute), as only one of the four users is likely to be using the resource at any given time. Of course, use by more than one user at a time may now result in an overload condition.

In a related example, the probability that any of the four users 120A-D will be using resource 100 is ½. In a first scheme under this example, each user may be permitted to use the resource at rate Y₁ (600 gallons/minute). Alternatively, in a second scheme, each user may be permitted to use the resource at a rate of either Y₀ or Y₂ (300 or 900 gallons/minute, respectively) where the probability of being permitted to use each rate is ½. At any given moment, either such scheme would be expected to maximize resource utilization without resulting in an overload condition. Under the first scheme, however, an overload condition may occur if three users should happen to use the resource at the same time (as the total permitted usage would be 1800 gallons/minute). In a system using the second scheme, it is possible (though unlikely) for three users to use the resource without creating the potential for an overload condition (as the total permitted usage could be as low as 900 gallons/minute).

In a further alternative of this example, the set of available rates is altered or expanded such that each user is permitted to use the resource at a rate of either 200 or 800 gallons/minute, where the probability of using each rate is again ½. At any given moment, the sum of the permitted usage rates of the users 120A-D would be expected to be 1000 gallons/minute (i.e., two users, one having a permitted usage rate of 200 gallons/minute, and the other having a permitted usage rate of 800 gallons/minute), leaving 200 gallons/minute of the capacity of resource 100 unused. Under this scheme, even if three users happen to use the resource at one time, the potential for an overload condition would be expected to arise in only half of such cases (i.e., it is equally likely for the total permitted usage to be 600 or 2400 gallons/minute, and it is also equally likely for the total permitted usage to be 1200 or 1800 gallons/minute).

In an extension of such a scheme to a given application, system values such as the number of users of a resource, the probability of use by each user, and the usage requirements of each user may be either observed or estimated. These values may then be combined with design parameters such as a number of available usage rates for each user, an acceptable rate of occurrence of overload conditions, and a minimum acceptable average rate of resource utilization to obtain a probabilistic model for system control whereby resource utilization is maximized, and the occurrence of overload conditions is minimized or eliminated.

In a system according to a first embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1A, each user 120 i has a set of persistence vectors 130 i and a permitted usage rate 110 i taken from a set of available rates. (Note that it is possible for the system to include other users who lack a set of persistence vectors.) The length of each vector in set 130 i may be any integer greater than zero, and each vector element represents a probability of using a particular usage rate or of changing from one usage rate to another. In this embodiment, each vector in set 130 i corresponds to at least one member of the set of available rates, although in other embodiments the vectors may correspond to members of a different set instead (e.g. a set of predetermined usage profiles). Set 130 i may be unique to each user, or the same set may be assigned to all users in a particular class, or the same set may be assigned to all of the users in the system. Likewise, set 130 i may be a permanent aspect of the operation of the user, or it may be updated periodically or otherwise. Other relevant aspects of persistence vector structure, distribution, and use are discussed in the application Ser. No. 09/410,204 entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERSISTENCE-VECTOR-BASED MODIFICATION OF USAGE RATES,” filed Sep. 30, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,665,272, issued Dec. 16, 2003 to Pankaj et al., assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and the disclosure of which application is hereby incorporated by reference.

In an Example 1, applied to one of the situations above, each user has the same set of persistence vectors, which set comprises a vector P={P₁, P₂, P₃} and wherein the elements P₁, P₂, and P₃ correspond to the rates Y₁ (600 gallons/minute), Y₂ (900 gallons/minute), and Y₃ (1200 gallons/minute), respectively. Each element of P indicates a probability that the corresponding rate will be used, and any remaining probability indicates a probability that the lowest rate Y₀ (300 gallons/minute) will be used. The values of the elements of P may be chosen, for example, to maximize the average collective use of the resource without creating an unsuitably high risk of occurrence of an overload condition.

In this example, the element P₂ is set to indicate a probability of ½, and the other two elements of P are each set to indicate a probability of zero. Before each use (i.e., for uses that are discontinuous and discrete) and/or periodically during use (i.e., for uses that are continuing over time), each user chooses a permitted usage rate based on the probabilities indicated by the elements of P. For the values of P indicated in this case, the user will choose rate Y₂ (900 gallons/minute) 50% of the time and rate Y₀ (300 gallons/minute) the remainder of the time. Because the probability that each user will use the resource at any given time is determined to be ¼ for this example, on average it may be expected that the full 1200-gallons/minute capacity of the resource will be utilized and that overload conditions will be avoided. Additionally, the distribution among users is fair in this example because on average all of the permitted usage rates will be equal.

In an Example 2, resource 100 is the reverse link of a CDMA telecommunications system. In this case, each user 120 may comprise: 1) a transmitter, such as a mobile telephone or a WLL (wireless local loop) station, connected to 2) a data-producing device, such as a laptop computer or a point-of-sale terminal, through a PCMCIA card or a similar interface, and outputting data encapsulated in packets over IP or any other suitable protocol. Several generations and versions of CDMA telecommunications systems have already been implemented. While most of these CDMA systems have been designed to carry digitized voice communications, however, the system and method herein described are especially well-suited to a network serving users with widely varying transmission rates, such as a data-only network or a mixed voice-data network.

In one particular implementation of Example 2, each user has the same fixed set of available rates, wherein each rate is expressed in kilobits per second (Kb/s), and the set of rates is designed to increment in powers of two. Because a doubling in rate requires a doubling in power to maintain the same ratio of energy per bit to noise power spectral density (Eb/N0), each rate step thus corresponds to a power step of 3 dB. The available rate values in this example include 4.8, 9.6, 19.2, 38.4, 76.8, 153.6, and 307.2 kilobits/second (Kb/s).

Although the elements in the set of available rates in Example 1 are related to each other in a linear fashion, and the elements of the set in Example 2 are related in an exponential fashion, no such relation or progression is necessary in a system or method according to an embodiment of the invention. Likewise, it is not necessary for each user to have the same predetermined set of available rates.

Note that selection of a rate based upon the persistence vector set may indicate permission rather than a requirement to use that rate. The actual rate used may depend upon other factors as well, such as a user's current need and/or ability to use the resource. Likewise, the actual usage rate may or may not be a member of the set of available rates that is used to indicate permission.

If use of the resource is discontinuous (e.g. packet data transmission over a common channel), the set of persistence vectors may be referenced before each use. If resource use is continuous (e.g. transfer of electrical power) or prolonged, then the set of persistence vectors may be referenced and the permitted usage rate adjusted as necessary at predetermined intervals during use or upon the occurrence of some predetermined event or events.

In a more general implementation, each persistence vector in set 130 i corresponds to a member of the set of available rates. Note that the set 130 i may also be considered as a transition probability matrix wherein, for example, each column comprises one of the persistence vectors and each row corresponds to one among the set of available rates. The particular persistence vector to be referenced at any point may depend, for example, upon the current or most recent actual or permitted usage rate, such that a user's future use may be constrained to some degree by its past usage history.

In a system or method according to the first embodiment, it is also possible for a user to have more than one persistence vector corresponding to each member of the set of available rates, each vector describing a different behavior. For example, one persistence vector may tend to indicate a higher average rate, or a more even distribution of probabilities among the various available rates, than another. In such a situation, the user may choose between its available persistence vectors according to such criteria as:

-   -   time (e.g. time of day, time of year, etc.) as an indicator of         such factors as expected system load or behavior or resource         capacity;     -   anticipated need by the user;     -   quality of service in recent use: for example, how         well-conditioned is the supply of electrical power, or how free         of impurities is the supply of water. A reduction in the quality         of service may cause a user to change its persistence vector in         order to relieve system load;     -   reduction of service in recent use: in a system that may         withstand overload conditions without incurring lasting damage,         for example, a user may conclude that an overload has occurred         when a usage rate is not met or a level of service is otherwise         reduced. Such reduction or denial of service may also cause a         user to adopt a different persistence vector in an attempt to         repair the overload condition.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method according to a second embodiment of the invention. In this method, a user has a set of persistence vectors including an (m−1)-element vector V, wherein V={V_(j) such that 1≦j≦m−1}. (As noted above, the vector V may be chosen from among others in a set of persistence vectors according to the most recent usage rate for this user or some other criteria.) Each element V_(j) of vector V is a persistence value representing a probability which has a value from 0 to 1 and which corresponds to the rate Y_(j) (where a<b implies Y_(a)<Y_(b)). For example, vector V may (but is not required to) have the form of a probability density function, wherein the sum of its elements (or of the values represented by its elements) is one. In block 210, a counter j is initialized to cause processing to begin at the persistence value V_(m−1), which corresponds to the highest permitted usage rate (Y_(m−1)).

In block 220, a random number x is generated. In an exemplary implementation, x represents a value drawn from a set having a uniform distribution over the range 0 to 1. In block 230, the value of x is tested against the persistence value V_(j). If x is less than V_(j), then the rate Y_(j) is selected as the permitted usage rate u_(i) in block 260. Otherwise, the value of j is decremented by one in block 250, and the persistence test is repeated. If j reaches the value 1 in block 240, then the lowest rate Y₀ is chosen by default in block 270. This method may be altered to allow the use of one among many other relations between the values of x and V_(j) in place of the test condition shown in block 230, depending on the particular characteristics of the values chosen for x and V_(j).

Note that in the method described above, a user is guaranteed to be permitted to use the resource at no less than the lowest rate. In another implementation of this method, the procedure of assigning a permitted usage rate may be permitted to fail (here, by extending P to include a value P₀ corresponding to rate Y₀ and allowing the value of j to reach zero in block 245). The user may wait until some external event occurs to repeat the rate assignment procedure, or the user may retry the procedure after some predetermined interval. In an exemplary implementation as shown in FIG. 2A, upon failing to establish a permitted usage rate, the user generates a random number z (in block 280), which represents a value between 1 and a predetermined parameter N_(backoff). In block 290, the user waits for z time periods to pass before retrying the rate selection procedure. In an implementation using the communications network of Example 2, for example, each time period may represent the duration of one time slot or some other unit of time relevant to the operation of the system.

FIG. 2B shows an implementation in which the actual usage rate may be restricted by other factors as well. For example, a transmitter as in Example 2 may not have enough power to transmit at the rate indicated by the procedure of FIG. 2. Alternatively, the amount of data available for transmission by such a transmitter may not justify using the resource at the permitted usage rate. In such cases, the usage rate may be chosen in block 265 as min{Y_(j), Y_(poss)}, where Y_(poss) represents the highest usage rate possible or otherwise desirable given the user's current characteristics.

Described above are applications in which the length of a persistence vector is equal to either m (i.e. the number of members in the set of available rates) or m−1. Note that cases may also exist in which it is desirable to skip one or more of the available rates (e.g. because the rate is not available or is inapplicable to a particular user). In such cases, a persistence vector need not contain an element corresponding to such a rate or rates, and therefore, its length may have any nonzero value less than or equal to m. Also note that the procedures of FIGS. 2, 2A, and 2B may be modified as necessary to map each element of such a persistence vector to the corresponding element of rate vector Y. By the same token, the process of selecting a particular persistence vector from among a set of persistence vectors may include such a mapping task in cases where, for example, the set of persistence vectors has fewer members than the set of available rates.

In many applications, the set of available rates may be arranged so that a<b implies Y_(a)<Y_(b) (as in Examples 1 and 2 above). Likewise, the values of a persistence vector such as V described above may be chosen such that c<d implies that [V_(c)]>[V_(d)] ([V_(c)] [V_(d)]), where [V_(i)] indicates the probability represented by the value of V_(i). In such a case, the probability that a rate will be chosen increases (does not decrease) as the rates become smaller. However, note that no such relation among the rates or the persistence values is required to employ a system or method according to an embodiment of the invention. For example, a particular rate may be disfavored because it is harder to implement than another rate, or because it is less incompatible with a part of the system than another rate, or for some similar reason. In such a case, a persistence vector may be fashioned so that this rate is less likely to be chosen than one or more higher rates (e.g., c<d does not imply [V_(c)]>[V_(d)] or [V_(c)] [V_(d)]). Similarly, a persistence vector may be fashioned to favor one or more higher rates over lower rates.

Note that although the random number x as generated in block 220 is described as being drawn from a set having a uniform distribution, any other distribution may also be used in a system or method according to an embodiment of the invention. As the selection of a random or pseudorandom value may be computationally intensive, it may be desirable in certain applications to reduce the number of such values to be selected. FIG. 3 shows a method according to a third embodiment of the invention, in which only one random number x is generated (in initialization block 310). In this case, (m−1)-element persistence vector W represents a cumulative density function (CDF), each element W_(j) representing a probability that some rate Y_(h) will be assigned, where h is any integer such that 0≦h≦j, Y_(h) is a valid assignment for this user, and 0≦j≦m−2. In the loop of blocks 330, 340, and 350, the maximum value of j is identified for which x>W_(j). If the test in block 330 succeeds, rate Y_(j)+1 may be chosen, or the usage rate may be chosen as min{Y_(j+1), Y_(poss)} as in block 365, where Y_(poss) represents the highest usage rate possible given the user's current characteristics. If the value of j reaches zero in block 340, then the rate Y₀ is chosen; otherwise, the value of j is decremented in block 350. Note that this method also may be modified to incorporate a wait-and-repeat scheme as in FIG. 2A. This method may be altered to allow the use of one among many other relations between the values of x and W_(j) in place of the test condition shown in block 330, depending on the particular characteristics of the values chosen for x and W_(j).

Even in a case where a persistence vector is not originally presented as a CDF, it is possible for the user to generate a CDF from such a vector and thereby reduce the number of random number generations for each rate assignment procedure to only one. First, a probability density function (PDF) vector F may be constructed from a persistence vector V as:

F_(n − 1) = [V_(n − 1)]; ${F_{i} = {\left\lbrack V_{i} \right\rbrack{\prod\limits_{j = {n - 1}}^{i + 1}\left( {1 - \left\lbrack V_{j} \right\rbrack} \right)}}},{{i \in \left\{ {1,2,3,\ldots\mspace{11mu},{n - 2}} \right\}};}$ $F_{0} = {\prod\limits_{j = {n - 1}}^{1}\left( {1 - \left\lbrack V_{j} \right\rbrack} \right)}$

Next, the PDF vector F is converted to a CDF vector Z by the following procedure or its equivalent:

$Z_{i} = {\sum\limits_{j = i}^{n - 1}{F_{j}.}}$ A persistence vector is then constructed such that its elements represent the elements of Z. For example, a vector W suitable for use in the implementation of FIG. 3 described above may be constructed according to the relation W _(i)=1−Z _(i), such that an element of W having a value of 1 represents a probability of zero, and an element of W having a value of 0 represents a probability of 1. Many other relations may be chosen to exist between the elements of a persistence vector and the probabilities which those elements represent, depending on the design of a particular implementation.

If and when an overload condition arises in a system according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 1A, the users 120 may not be aware that an overload has occurred, especially if the resource is consuming reserve capacity in order to meet user demands. Even in a case where the overload condition causes the resource's availability to a user to drop below a user's expectation or demand, the user may still be unable to verify whether the shortcoming is due to a resource overload or to the failure of another component in the supply path. Moreover, in certain applications such as wireless data communications, it is possible that no feedback mechanism exists whereby a user may obtain timely notification of an overload. Therefore, the user may continue to use the resource, unaware of the problem.

It is desirable in such a situation for the system to include a capability for notifying the users of the overload condition so that they may modify their uses (for example, by adopting a different persistence vector). Such feedback capability may also be useful in other, non-overload situations where it is desired to distribute information relating to the resource to one or more users (e.g. to indicate the availability of additional capacity or a reduction in resource capacity).

FIG. 4 shows an example of such a system with such capability, wherein control unit 460 receives information related to usage of resource 400 by users 420A-D (for example, current rate of use by one or more users, history of use by one or more users, reserve capacity available, predicted capacity, status of the resource, information relating to scheduled or unscheduled events that may affect resource capacity or status, etc.). Control unit 460 may issue commands based on this (and possibly other) information to users 420A-D over respective communications pathways 440A-D, such that these commands influence at least in part the respective permitted usage rates 410A-D of the users. Note that it is possible for control unit 460 to be implemented within the resource 400 or, alternatively, as a part of one or more of the users 420A-D.

If a user becomes aware of an overload condition, the possibility exists for user-driven remediation. If at least some of the users are able to communicate with each other, then a solution such as a reduction in usage rate may be negotiated between them. In many instances, however, such communication between users may be unavailable, impractical, or undesirable, and it may be desirable for a centralized feedback mechanism such as control unit 460 not only to convey information relating to the resource but also to exert some degree of control over the permitted usage rates (for example, control unit 460 may issue commands that contain or relate to changes in one or more persistence vectors).

If complete knowledge of the future usage requirements of the users were available, then it would be theoretically possible to construct an optimal usage schedule that would satisfy the users' requirements as much as possible while completely avoiding all overload conditions. In many practical systems, however, a user's future needs will be unknown even to the user itself. One way to prevent overload conditions in such systems would be on the basis of current usage requirements: for example, by granting usage rate allocations to users only on a request basis. In order to convey the usage requests from the users back to the control unit, however, such a scheme would require an upstream communication pathway which might not otherwise be necessary. Moreover, additional costs and delays would be incurred in receiving, processing and responding to such requests.

In order to avoid some of the disadvantages of an request/grant scheme, it is possible to issue rate allocations based on users' past usages. Suitable schemes of usage rate selection and assignment and rate allocation include those described in the U.S. patent applications Ser. No. 09/410,204, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERSISTENCE-VECTOR-BASED MODIFICATION OF USAGE RATES,” now U.S. Pat. No. 6,665,272, and incorporated by reference above, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,324,172, entitled “METHOD OF RATE ALLOCATION IN A DATA COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK,” issued Nov. 27, 2001, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Such schemes enable the control unit to share control with the users, allowing the users to control the details of their own usage to some extent while the control unit concentrates on system-wide issues such as the prediction and avoidance of overload conditions.

FIG. 4A shows a system according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, wherein control unit 462 receives information related to usage of resource 400 by users 422A-D, and each user 422 i has a set of persistence vectors 432 i. In this example, the permitted usage rate 412 i of each user 422 i is influenced at least in part by commands received from control unit 462 over respective communications pathways 442A-D (for example, such commands may contain or relate to changes in one or more persistence vectors). Note that it is possible for control unit 462 to be implemented within the resource 400 or, alternatively, as a part of one or more of the users 422 i. An exemplary application of a system according to FIG. 4A to a communications network such as the one described in Example 2 above is shown in FIG. 4B, wherein users 520A-D are data producers, each having a set of persistence vectors 530A-D; resource 500 is a common transmission channel linking the producers with data consumer 550; and control unit 560 receives usage information from (and may be incorporated into) the consumer 550. Producers 520 i use resource 500 by transmitting data to consumer 550 as allowed by permitted usage rates 510A-D, respectively, and they receive respective signals 540A-D from the control unit. Consumer 550 and control unit 560 may be parts of a base station, and control signals 540 may be carried over a forward link of the communications channel.

Any of the methods described or suggested in FIGS. 2, 2A, or 2B or in the text above may be applied to a system according to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B. If the procedure is successful, the user uses the resource at a rate not greater than the selected rate. The rate assignment procedure may be repeated when, for example, a persistence vector is updated, some scheduled or unscheduled event occurs (expiration of a timer, triggering of an alarm event such as a low-power warning, etc.) or a predetermined time delay has elapsed.

At any particular time, a user's use of the resource conforms to a particular permitted usage rate among the user's set of available rates. It is not necessary for all users to have the same set of available rates, but the set for each user should be known to control unit 462 (560) so that it may reliably predict the state of resource use and issue control signals appropriately. It is also possible for each user's set of available rates to be updated or otherwise modified according to a command issued by control unit 462 (560) whether such a command is issued periodically or according to another scheme.

The set of persistence vectors may be a permanent aspect of the operation of the user, or it may be issued by control unit 462 (560), in which case one or more of its members may be updated periodically or otherwise. Situations in which a new set of persistence vectors may be issued are not limited to overload conditions. For example, a persistence vector set may be issued to a mobile unit at channel assignment and again upon handoff. Other situations that may cause the control unit to send a new or updated persistence vector set to one or more users include the following:

-   -   A user first requests usage of the resource.     -   The control unit wishes to reserve a portion of the resource's         capacity.     -   The control unit wishes to deny resource use to one or more         users.     -   The control unit wishes to maximize the number of users able to         use the resource at one time.     -   The control unit responds to a request from a user (or to         requests from a number of users).     -   The control unit responds to detected or communicated user         characteristics (e.g. recent usage rate).     -   In a wireless data communications network, the number of         connections between the producer (mobile station) and the ground         network (base stations) changes.

Persistence vector updates may also be used as a means to pass control over usage rates between the control unit and the users. For example, the control unit may prevent users from using the maximum usage rate (or any other rate) by setting the probability for that rate to zero and/or by modifying the persistence vector(s) corresponding to that rate. Alternatively, the control unit may cause one or more users to use only the lowest rate by setting the probabilities for all other rates to zero. Such action might occur in an emergency situation, for example, where it becomes desirable to support as many connections as possible or to reserve a portion of the capacity for priority use without terminating service to other users. On the other hand, the control unit may effectively transfer control over resource usage to the users by setting the probability for the maximum rate to one, thereby permitting each user to select its own permitted usage rate.

In a method according to a fifth embodiment of the invention, the occurrence of persistence vector assignments and updates is reduced by using correction vector sets. In a basic implementation, one set of persistence vectors is shared by all users, and a set of correction vectors is transmitted to a user or users for whom a different set of persistence vectors is desired. Each element of each correction vector corresponds to and modifies an element of a corresponding persistence vector, and the user applies a correction vector to the appropriate persistence vector by, for example, adding or multiplying the two vectors. The user then uses the resulting modified persistence vector or vectors to establish its permitted usage rate according to one of the methods described or suggested herein.

Implementation of correction vectors reduces control traffic while allowing a system to appropriately accommodate users having different usage behaviors or profiles (e.g. premium vs. economy, commercial vs. individual, scheduled or automatic use vs. use on demand, etc.). In a variation of the basic implementation described above, the set of correction vectors has fewer members than the set of persistence vectors, each such member corresponding to and modifying one among a predetermined subset of the set of persistence vectors. For example, correction vectors may be supplied only for those persistence vectors most likely to be referenced by the user. Alternatively or in addition to this variation, one or more among the set of correction vectors may have fewer elements than the corresponding persistence vector. Such variations, which reduce the volume of control traffic even further, may be used to concentrate control information by restricting the corrections to those persistence vectors (or elements thereof) which are likely to have the greatest effect on resource usage.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments are possible, and the generic principles presented herein may be applied to other embodiments. For example, the invention may be implemented in part or in whole as hard-wired circuits, as circuit configurations fabricated into application-specific integrated circuits, or as firmware programs loaded into non-volatile storage or software programs loaded from or into data storage media as machine-readable code, such code being instructions executable by arrays of logic elements such as microprocessors or other digital signal processing units. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown above but rather is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed in any fashion herein. 

1. An apparatus comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions which cause the processor to: store a vector comprising a plurality of vector elements, each vector element representing a probability of using one rate of a plurality of rates to transmit data on a communications channel; select one of the vector elements; and transmit data on the communications channel at a rate corresponding to the selected vector element.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stored instructions further cause the processor to receive a command from a control unit to use another vector with at least one vector element different from the stored vector.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stored instructions further cause the processor to receive a command from a control unit to correct the stored vector.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stored instructions further cause the processor to: generate a random number; compare the random number with at least one of the vector elements; select one of the vector elements based on comparing the random number with at least one of the vector elements; and transmit data on the communications channel at a rate corresponding to the selected vector element.
 5. An apparatus comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions which cause the processor to: store a vector comprising a plurality of vector elements, each vector element representing a probability of using one rate of a plurality of rates to transmit data on a communications channel; generate a random number; compare the random number with one vector element of the plurality of vector elements; and if the random number is less than the one vector element, transmit data on a shared communications channel.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the stored instructions further cause the processor to receive a command from a control unit to use another vector with at least one vector element different from the stored vector.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the stored instructions further cause the processor to choose a rate to transmit data on the shared communications channel, the rate being chosen from a first rate corresponding to the one vector element and a second rate determined by at least one of available transmit power and amount of data available for transmission.
 8. A control unit comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions which cause the processor to: receive information on usage of a communications channel by a plurality of users; and send a command to at least one of the users to use a vector comprising a plurality of vector elements, each vector element representing a probability of using one rate of a plurality of rates to transmit data on a communications channel.
 9. The control unit of claim 8, wherein the information comprises at least one of a current rate of use by one or more users, history of use by one or more users, available reserve capacity of the communications channel, predicted capacity of the communications channel, status of the communications channel, information relating to a scheduled event, or information relating to an unscheduled event that may affect status of the communications channel.
 10. The control unit of claim 8, wherein the control unit is configured to periodically send a command to at least one of the users to use a vector comprising a plurality of vector elements.
 11. An apparatus including hardware such as a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions, comprising: means for storing a vector comprising a plurality of vector elements, each vector element representing a probability of using one rate of a plurality of rates to transmit data on a communications channel; means for selecting one of the vector elements; and means for transmitting data on the communications channel at a rate corresponding to the selected vector element.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: means for receiving a command from a control unit to use another vector with at least one vector element different from the stored vector.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: means for receiving a command from a control unit to correct the stored vector.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: means for generating a random number; means for comparing the random number with at least one of the vector elements; means for selecting one of the vector elements based on comparing the random number with at least one of the vector elements; and means for transmitting data on the communications channel at a rate corresponding to the selected vector element.
 15. An apparatus including hardware such as a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions, comprising: means for storing a vector comprising a plurality of vector elements, each vector element representing a probability of using one rate of a plurality of rates to transmit data on a communications channel; means for generating a random number; means for comparing the random number with one vector element of the plurality of vector elements; and means for transmitting data on a shared communications channel, if the random number is less than the one vector element.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: means for receiving a command from a control unit to use another vector with at least one vector element different from the stored vector.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: means for choosing a rate to transmit data on the shared communications channel, the rate being chosen from a first rate corresponding to the one vector element and a second rate determined by at least one of available transmit power and amount of data available for transmission.
 18. A control unit including hardware such as a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions, comprising: means for receiving information on usage of a communications channel by a plurality of users; and means for sending a command to at least one of the users to use a vector comprising a plurality of vector elements, each vector element representing a probability of using one rate of a plurality of rates to transmit data on a communications channel.
 19. The control unit of claim 18, wherein the information comprises at least one of a current rate of use by one or more users, history of use by one or more users, available reserve capacity of the communications channel, predicted capacity of the communications channel, status of the communications channel, information relating to a scheduled event, or information relating to an unscheduled event that may affect status of the communications channel.
 20. The control unit of claim 18, further comprising; means for periodically sending a command to at least one of the users to use a vector comprising a plurality of vector elements.
 21. A method comprising: storing a vector by a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor, comprising a plurality of vector elements, each vector element representing a probability of using one rate of a plurality of rates to transmit data on a communications channel; selecting one of the vector elements; and transmitting data on the communications channel at a rate corresponding to the selected vector element.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: receiving a command from a control unit to use another vector with at least one vector element different from the stored vector.
 23. The method of claim 21, further comprising: receiving a command from a control unit to correct the stored vector.
 24. The method of claim 21, further comprising: generating a random number; comparing the random number with at least one of the vector elements; selecting one of the vector elements based on comparing the random number with at least one of the vector elements; and transmitting data on the communications channel at a rate corresponding to the selected vector element.
 25. A method comprising: storing a vector by a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor, comprising a plurality of vector elements, each vector element representing a probability of using one rate of a plurality of rates to transmit data on a communications channel; generating a random number; comparing the random number with one vector element of the plurality of vector elements; and transmitting data on a shared communications channel, if the random number is less than the one vector element.
 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising: receiving a command from a control unit to use another vector with at least one vector element different from the stored vector.
 27. The method of claim 25, further comprising: choosing a rate to transmit data on the shared communications channel, the rate being chosen from a first rate corresponding to the one vector element and a second rate determined by at least one of available transmit power and amount of data available for transmission.
 28. A method comprising: receiving information by a control unit on usage of a communications channel by a plurality of users; and sending a command to at least one of the users to use a vector comprising a plurality of vector elements, each vector element representing a probability of using one rate of a plurality of rates to transmit data on a communications channel.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the information comprises at least one of a current rate of use by one or more users, history of use by one or more users, available reserve capacity of the communications channel, predicted capacity of the communications channel, status of the communications channel, information relating to a scheduled event, or information relating to an unscheduled event that may affect status of the communications channel.
 30. The method of claim 28, further comprising; periodically sending a command to at least one of the users to use a vector comprising a plurality of vector elements.
 31. A computer readable medium encoded with computer executable code to perform a method, the method comprising: program code to store a vector comprising a plurality of vector elements, each vector element representing a probability of using one rate of a plurality of rates to transmit data on a communications channel; program code to select one of the vector elements; and program code to transmit data on the communications channel at a rate corresponding to the selected vector element.
 32. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, further comprising: program code to receive a command from a control unit to use another vector with at least one vector element different from the stored vector.
 33. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, further comprising: program code to receive a command from a control unit to correct the stored vector.
 34. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, further comprising: program code to generate a random number; program code to compare the random number with at least one of the vector elements; program code to select one of the vector elements based on comparing the random number with at least one of the vector elements; and program code to transmit data on the communications channel at a rate corresponding to the selected vector element.
 35. A computer readable medium encoded with computer executable code to perform a method, the method comprising: program code to store a vector comprising a plurality of vector elements, each vector element representing a probability of using one rate of a plurality of rates to transmit data on a communications channel; program code to generate a random number; program code to compare the random number with one vector element of the plurality of vector elements; and program code to transmit data on a shared communications channel, if the random number is less than the one vector element.
 36. The computer-readable medium of claim 35, further comprising: program code to receive a command from a control unit to use another vector with at least one vector element different from the stored vector.
 37. The computer-readable medium of claim 35, further comprising: program code to choose a rate to transmit data on the shared communications channel, the rate being chosen from a first rate corresponding to the one vector element and a second rate determined by at least one of available transmit power and amount of data available for transmission.
 38. A computer readable medium encoded with computer executable code to perform a method, the method comprising: program code to receive information on usage of a communications channel by a plurality of users; and program code to send a command to at least one of the users to use a vector comprising a plurality of vector elements, each vector element representing a probability of using one rate of a plurality of rates to transmit data on a communications channel.
 39. The computer-readable medium of claim 38, wherein the information comprises at least one of a current rate of use by one or more users, history of use by one or more users, available reserve capacity of the communications channel, predicted capacity of the communications channel, status of the communications channel, information relating to a scheduled event, or information relating to an unscheduled event that may affect status of the communications channel.
 40. The computer-readable medium of claim 38, further comprising: program code to periodically send a command to at least one of the users to use a vector comprising a plurality of vector elements. 